Check out Ben's Blog

If you are looking for a good read about all things biblical visit Ben's blog. It's really good! I am so proud of him.

http://thattheworldmayknow.wordpress.com/

Family Photos 2011

Here are a few of my favorite pictures from our recent photo shoot with Eryn Shaffer (one of our amazing life group girls). I just love these photos....

My handsome fellas

so typical

this is is his personality in one picture....cute, but a little mischevious

love those baby blues

i just love the way they look at each other

i love my sweet and smiley boy

the family all smiling in one photo...finally

Thanksgiving 2011

Sweet love.

oh did you see that.

Oh Maggie, your so funny.

Wanna ride in my pink car Eli? Since the girls have taken over the green one?

All the cousins!! Aren't they precious. Captivated by Charlie Brown Christmas I would guess.

Consequences

This is what happens when you decide to get up at 5am (and your normal waking hour is 8am)...

You fall asleep in the car on the way to school at 8:45am....

You actually take a nap at school (something he has NEVER done). Okay he didn't actually go to sleep during nap time, but at 1:30...30 minutes before school is over.

You continue to sleep on the way home.

Oh my sweet sweet boy. Just give it up and sleep till 8am. You miss a lot of the day sleeping when you get up before that and you make mommy tired all day too. Still love you precious pumpkin.

Ben's latest pastime

In the last edition of the Blevins Menagerie, we explored Eli's latest pastime...today we explore Ben's! Just one of Ben's infinite moments of wisdom...



I think Ben is sad we don't live in the country anymore where we had piles of rocks, wood, more rocks, more wood. I think he is sad he doesn't have a lot to clear with his tiny little axe. I think he is sad because he doesn't have the great outdoors to play in anymore. So I guess this is his way of making up for that. Nevermind that we still only own an axe...not a chain saw and that we don't have a fireplace in which to burn this wood...only a tiny little outdoor firepit. It's a good thing I really love my husband.

Eli's latest pasttime.

Is this safe???




or this??



Am I a terrible mom because I decided to take a video of this instead of stopping him??

My little guy is 2 years old and afraid of very little. He is a boy, which means he loves jumping, stomping, romping, and all around rough housing. I love that about him! The good news, he is a pretty tough guy. So when he hurts himself with one of his many boy antics, he quickly recovers and continues on his wild ways.

Oh boys will be boys.

Eli's First Haircut

After 2 years of being follicly challenged, our sweet boy finally had grown enough hair to warrant a haircut. While we appreciated that the corners of his hair had grown long enough for him to be considered Jewish, it was time for a trim. 2 suckers, 1 purple balloon, 1 ride in a Lightning McQueen car complete with moving tires and sounds, and $20 later, our little guy looks so handsome. It's amazing how cutting a few hairs off will make a boy look so much older. My baby is growing up...and it makes his momma happy and sad at the same time.
 

See my long locks in the back.

Give a guy a sucker, put him in a car, and turn a movie on...that is the key to getting a haircut.

This isn't so bad.

The end of his second sucker. A little help from dad to keep me distracted.

Looking super handsome and super big.

Cheese!

Just found these two pics from the summer. Couldn't resist.

Cell Phone Download

 We have a really nice camera...a really nice digital SLR Nikon with two lenses. We paid a good deal of money for this lovely camera. We bought this camera so we could record the milestones in our son's life.  The problem is you have to take your camera with you to the places where said milestones happen. We never take our camera anywhere...which is sort of a problem. We rely on the iPhone to record the best moments of our son's life. Which is, of course, incredibly convenient, but lacks the quality one would hope for. I am making a vow from now on, to carry this awesome camera with me. (and to learn how to use this camera for all its worth). Happy to have any advice in this area. In the meantime, here are some exceptional photos for the handy, dandy iPhone. Enjoy.

 Here I am! Fitting for a boy with the middle name Samuel right??

Captain America saves the day.

Tired boy after a weekend with his cousins

Cool dude!! Loves his shades.

One handsome masked hero. At least he's mom's hero.

The Stillwater Wondertorium...Eli promptly decided to stick his head in this water fountain. Which meant that he was soaking wet, which meant we had to take his shirt off, which meant he got to run around topless at the museum. Woo Hoo!

Eli the turtle.

Eli discovered binoculars.

Can you see me dad???

Five on Friday

1. My son is hilarious. I mean so stinking funny. Everyday he comes up with some new word or facial expression. This week he has discovered how to be shy around the ladies. Eli really never meets a stranger...unless this person is a female, cute, and talkative...then he shuts down like a clam...hands over his eyes clam. He takes after his father's flirtatious qualities

2. My mawmaw is not doing well. We don't know how much longer she will be with us. Daily her quality of life is decreasing. Please join me in praying that the Lord is readying a place for her in heaven and that when she goes, she goes peacefully.

3. Today the temperature is 90 degrees...and we aren't scheduled to get over 90 for the next week. Can I get a whoot whoot for that!

4. Eli starts school next week...well parent's day out that is...one day a week. This is a big deal for the Blevins family. We have only left Eli with other people for maybe 15 hours total in his whole life...so we are stepping out on a limb here. Eli got to go preview his new school today and he had a blast (at least that's what Ben said...momma was at work). So next Tuesday Eli heads to school!

5.  We are still working on finding friends...so far...we are up to about 2. And these are more acquaintances than friends. We were lucky to have such an amazing support network in spring branch. I am sure we will find friends...but for now, we are enjoying our time as a family. But in the meantime who do I list as the emergency contact on Eli's school form...i don't know anyone who will go pick him up if Ben and I can't. Must find friends this weekend...so I can fill the form out before next Tuesday.

Happy 2 Years!

Happy birthday to our most precious baby boy, Elisha Samuel. On this day two long years ago, we were blessed with the most precious gift we had ever received (next to the ultimate gift of Christ)! While you joined us 5 weeks earlier than we anticipated we were elated upon your arrival. The past two years we have watched you grow and develop. We have seen your precious and engaging personality emerge. We have been surprised by how much you teach us about enduring love and patience. We have loved you more with each new day. It is a blessing and a joy to be your parents. We love you more than words can ever express. 

Elisha Samuel 6lbs 6oz

cleaned up and handsome

Eli's first cake on his first birthday

Enjoying his new birthday chair

Big 2 year old Eli with his best friends Camron and Brandon.

Sic em bears! Eli got to go to his first football game for his 2nd birthday.

Sic Em Bears

Since we now live in a college town...a big 12 college town (including all of that drama), we have been taking advantage of Big 12 sports. Primarily volleyball and soccer! Baylor has great sports teams and gives faculty free tickets to the games, so it makes for a fun evening out. On Wednesday we headed out to watch the Lady Bears play OU. While Baylor ending up loosing, they played and amazing game and we had tons of fun...particularly Eli. Eli found a group of late elementary-middle school girls to flirt with while we were there. Then he got to dance and have fun with the Bear. All in all it was a great evening with the family.

Eli and the Bear...and yes his finger is in his nose...oh the joys of boys age 2.

While Daddy's Away....

Ben left today for 10 days! What was I thinking when I told him he could go??? I guess I was thinking that it was probably a good idea to go on a 9 day all expenses paid Alaskan cruise with his 82 year old grandpa. I guess I was just feeling generous. The truth be told, this is a great opportunity for him to spend some amazing time with Pop and for me and Eli to hang out. GiGi is coming to help, which is good considering I still have to work. Today Eli and I enjoyed our first day with out daddy by sleeping in (till 6am...hey better than 5:20 when he has been getting up), drinking our coffee outside (choc milk for the little guy), playing in the yard, shopping at goodwill and the flea market, napping, visiting the children's museum, eating at McAllisters, and ending the night with frozen yogurt. I would say we had quite the day! Don't let this fool you though, Eli misses his daddy and keeps asking "where is he?" So Ben if you are reading know that your little guy and his momma love you.

In the meantime check out my little man's mad musical skills.

My son is a ham

My son is a ham, Sam I am. 

He likes to wear hats and talk about cats. 

He wears helmets and boots, even if they don't suit
He climbs up on tables because he is able

He loves bath time and even has a naked hiney rhyme
My son is a ham, Sam I am!

He reminds me so much of his father at times. And then, on other occasions, his hamish nature reminds me of my deep rooted and thoroughly buried silly sense of humor. The one that only comes out when I am really tired or have consumed too much of the good stuff (wine that is, or margaritas). My son is truly the best of Ben and me. And for that I am eternally blessed.

He is a sweet boy who now tells his momma and daddy that he loves them without being prompted and "thank you" without being asked. He is a smart cookie who loves his bindtey (blanket), good music, Dora the Explorer, motorcycles, and naked hiney time. And he still lets mommy rock him to bed at night.

I love this kid and everything he is and will become!

Fun times in Waco!

Well, it's been a while since I have posted. Moving is hard. Leaving friends is exhausting. Starting a new journey is exciting but overwhelming. So we are settling in Waco. We've moved into our little rental house and are trying to make it our home. My office is pretty well set up and I'm settling into a routine. It's been a crazy two weeks! While I have been busy getting ready for class, sitting in countless meetings, and readying myself for my new role as a professor, my boys have been enjoying the great city of Waco in the scorching heat. For the size of this city it actually offers some really amazing features for families. We have an amazing zoo, a great children's museum, the dr. pepper museum, and much more. So every other day you can find Ben and Eli at one of these locales. Momma, on the other hand, just gets videos of these excursions. It makes my heart so happy to know that they're enjoying themselves, but sad that I am not always there. Hope you heart gets joy from these videos too!


Eli slides with the otters!


Sleeping jagawayers...


Whoa...balls.

10 on Thursday

1. I am a terrible blogger these days...but I'm gonna get better! I promise :)

2. 50% of my house is packed for the move on Aug 4 or 5.  That means 50% of my garage is full of boxes....lots of boxes.

3. We (think) we finally found a place to live in Waco!! This has been a whirlwind week of ups and downs on the house front, but we are confident God's got it. So maybe this cute little place will be ours for a year or so? Pretty cute huh.

4. Eli has decided that sleeping is for the birds...well at least that going to bed in his own bed at a decent hour is for the birds. You put a kid in your bed one or two times and he thinks that's where he should sleep. Good thing he is so darn cute at 11pm at night. Can we say hello sleep training for the next few days.

5. We'll be here in a week or so for a family reunion! This will be Eli's first trip to the place where it all started for his mom and dad. Jealous???

6. We're having a garage sale this weekend...hoping to get rid of some junk! This means 25% of my garage is filled with crap that needs to become someone else's treasure.

7. Our awesome friends, the Pages, are going to be leasing our house here in Spring Branch....what a huge, huge blessing! We are so excited for them fall in love with this house like we have.

8. Eli has moved from calling me momma to mommy....a little sad, but still endearing

9. My kid ate his first oreo yesterday....let's just say we all must have some sort of genetic marker that determines our approach to said cookie. Boys got his own style. (more on this one later).

10. Sadly, the garden is on it's last leg and I am too lazy to help it get back on both. It was a good garden that provided much fruit during our time in this house...now it is time for it to get a break! Afterall, it will be the 7th year and you know what the Lord says about that.

A Whirlwind Trip

So Eli, Gigi, and I headed out on a trip to visit my MawMaw in Northeastern Louisiana. MawMaw has been in hospice care for almost 6 months...but she is a fighter and keeps rallying. Wonder where I get it? Then meet my mom and mawmaw. It was a fast, but great trip. We got to spend time with my MawMaw in the nursing home. The trip was worth it just to see MawMaw's face light up when she saw Eli. Eli danced and played the guitar for MawMaw. He gave her kisses and said "I love you MawMaw!" It was so worth it. We also enjoyed time with my Uncle Marion, the baptist evangelist with a heart of Gold and a deep love for animals. Eli saw his first armadillo...two to be exact. Of course, he wanted to pet the "dillo."



We spent our mornings sitting on the porch, drinking coffee, and rocking out! We enjoyed two mornings of thunderstorms and great rain. Not sure Eli even remembers what rain is or if I do. We are so thankful though for his thirst quenching rain.



So on the way back to my mom's house, we started talking about my granny. The beautiful woman who babysat me from the time I was born till the time I went to school. Mom and I were telling stories and reminiscing about Granny. It has been almost 20 years since I had seen my Granny. The last time I heard from her was when I graduated high school when she sent me a beautiful card. Somewhere along the way, through college, marriage, new jobs, grad school, and family I lost touch with this precious woman. I have thought of her often, remembered her amazing impact on my life, and wished to see her face again. I have wanted to call, to write, to hear her voice again, but frankly as the years crept by I was afraid that she might have passed and I would have been heartbroken to find out. So it was almost better not to know...sad but true. So as mom and I drove and talked, we realized we weren't far from where Granny used to live. And not wanting to live with any more regrets, we called Grapeland information, found Mary Ginsel, called her, and told her that we were coming to visit. Needless to say she was estatic. 45 minutes later we pulled up to the white house with the yellow trim and the big barn in the back. A house that seemed much bigger 20 years ago. We knocked on the front door, a few minutes passed, the door creaked open, and there stood my granny, with her beautiful grey hair and sweet smile. And then the tears starting flowing..from all parties involved. We sat and talked, we reminisced, we cried, we smiled, we laughed. It was the most beautiful blessing. My granny isn't well, she has had cancer in her legs and recently had major eye surgery, but she too is a fighter. She loves life and has a strong will to live. She still lives at home, despite having no family close by, not being able to drive, and having difficulty even walking by herself. She told me that it was her church family that is her support system! They take her to doctors appointments, to the grocery store, check on her daily, ensure that she is well cared for.  Talk about the church getting it right...her little church in Grapeland, TX understands the Kingdom of Heaven.  They get what it means to take care of the widows and orphans. They GET IT!!  It makes me wonder why more of us don't get it!

Needless to say this won't be the last time I will see my Granny. We have a lot of stories to tell.

A Lover of Music

My precious, sweet son who is now 20 months old (not sure at what point you stop counting in months...I say at 2 I will stop), loves music. He loves listening to, dancing with, and making his own music. Turn on music and my little man gets his groove on.  Give him a microphone and he will sing you a sweet ballad. Give him some drum sticks and he will bang away with the best rock musicians around. When he was in my belly, I prayed for him regularly. I prayed a lot of generic things like that he would be healthy, happy, full of joy, and easy and I prayed some more specific things like that he would be a mighty warrior for God and be musically gifted. To this day, I don't know why I prayed specifically about the muscial gift...perhaps because I am not gifted in such ways. The reality is that God is already answering these prayers so sweetly. At 20 months, I know that my son has a gift of music and worshipper's heart. I know that God will use this gift for the glory of his kingdom and I can't wait to see the journey this takes my precious boy on.  Now my prayer is that he will be proud and never embarrassed of God's gift in him. That he will always know that this gift is for the benefit of the kingdom and for the joy of the nations. In the meantime, it has been so fun watching his love of music grow and develop. It brings such joy to this momma's heart.




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A Man Who Wears Many Hats

I am a many who wears many hats. Which hat do you like best?

Ball head?

Trucker Cap?

Stetson?

I think...ball head.

Or maybe my shower cap?